Baling-machine.



No. 680,|64. Patented Aug. 6, I90l. B. S. MUNGER.

BALING MACHINE.

(Application filed my 19, 1898.)

3 Sheots+8heet I.

(No Model.)

N0. 680,|64. Patented Aug. 6, I90l. R. S. MUNGER.

BALlNG MACHINE.

Appl at m d m y 19 1898 3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

/ Inwzzior.

No. 680,164. Patented Aug. 6, 1901 5. S. MUNGEB.

BALING MACHINE.

(Application filed Kay 19, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets- Sheet 3.

rm: nouns vznzns co, wamurna, wAsHmaTon. a c.

M zzeZZZf UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ROBERT S. MUNGER, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

BALlNG-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,164, dated August6, 1901..

Application filed May 19, 1898. Serial No. 681,150. (No model.)

T0 at whom it Tnay concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT S. llrIUNGER, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Birmingham,in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama,have invented new and useful Improvements in Baling-Machines, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates more especially to baling-machines that aredesigned for the handling of lint-cotton preferably supplied direct froma condenser.

It is a principal object of my invention to provide a charging-chamberthrough which cotton is to be forced by means of a packer or tramperinto one baling-compartment of a double box-press, while the cottonpreviously charged or packed into the other press-box orbaling-compartment is being formed into a bale, such charging-chamberbeing of great advantage in permitting a full stroke of the tramper orpacker during the whole of the charging operation, besides avoiding anynecessity for frequent up-and-down movement of the tram per, and alsofacilitating an economy of power and labor in operating the balingapparatus.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the features ofconstruction and novel combinations of parts comprised in the.invention,as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is anelevation of my improved baling machine or apparatus. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aperspective detail of locking and releasing mechanism for the press-boxdoors and retainers for holding the cotton down in the box. section ofthe packer-cylinder and presscharging chamber, showing in dotted linesone of the press-boxes of a duplex baling-machine and a portion of anadjacent gin or condenser. cylinder and connections for controlling thesupply and exhaust of steam at opposite ends of said cylinder for theoperation of a doubleacting tramper. Fig. 6 shows in section a modifiedvalve mechanism for the packercylinder. Fig. 7 shows in section anothermodification of valve mechanism for the packer-cylinder.

Fig. at is a vertical Fig. 5 is a perspective of the packer-.

illustrated in their application to a double box-press for compressingcotton, preferably direct from the gin or condenser, the pressboxes 1being mounted to turn or pivot on a vertical standard or column 2,forming part of a' stationary framework, Fig. 1, and the apparatus beingso arranged that one press-box is in position for charging while thecotton previously packed into the other box is under pressure to form ahalo. The stationary framework of the baling apparatus comprisesvertical standards or columns 2 and 3,secured to a Webbed truss-frame 4,having pedestals 5, for which masonry foundations 6 are pro vided. Thistruss-frame at, Figs. 1 and 2, also supports a vertically-arrangedhydraulic cylinder 7, having therein a ram or plunger, to which themovable or lower press-head 8 is attached. The upper or stationarypresshead 9 is secured to upper portions of the standards or columns 2and 3 and has the stationary platen 10 secured to its under side. Ineach press-box 1 there is a movable or lower platen 11 to be acted on bythe movable lower press-head 8, and when in its normal lowermostposition this lower press-platen is supported by shoulders or lugs 12 atthe open bottom of the press-box.

At their lower ends the two press-boxes 1 are connected by a rectangularframe 13, having a socket 14, by which the boxes are made capable ofturning on the standard or column 2 when it is desired to change theposition of said boxes for charging one box or balingchamber while thecontents of the other are being pressed into a bale. A circular platform or turn-table 15 is secured to and surrounds the twobaling-chambers or press-boxes 9o 1 at a suitable distance above theframe 13 and on a level with the floor 16, in which there is a circularopening that receives said platform or tu rn-table. The platform orturntable 15 turns with the press-boxes l and is supported by brackets17 at suitable intervals. In order to facilitate the turning of thepress-boxes, a number of antifriction-rollers 18 may be provided atsuitable points beneath the platform or turn-table. Immediately ICOabove the platform 15 the lower portion of each press'box may beindependently braced by a rectangular frame 19, forming part of 3 Myimprovements in baling apparatus are the box framework.

The upper portion of each press-box is constructed so as to be opened torelease the bale. For this purpose the upper section of each press-boxcomprises hinged side doors 20, that interior of the press-box whenremoving the pressed bale. The side doors are held in a closed or raisedposition by means of a looking and releasing mechanism, which comprisesa horizontal rock-shaft 22, mounted on the outer side of one of thepress-box doors near its top, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Near its endsthe rock-shaft 22 is provided with pins or lugs 23 to engage in eyes 24on rods 25, that are jointed to a top portion of the opposite press-doornear its ends, as best seen in Fig. 3. The rock-shaft-22 is providedwith a central'depending lever 26, that is adapted to be engaged with ahook or looking projection 27 on the outside of the press-box door. Whenthe doors 20 are closed and the eyerods 25 are engaged with the pins orlugs 23 of rock-shaft 22, the lever 26 will be swung downward intoengagement with its locking projection 27, thus locking both press-boxdoors firmly; but when the pressed bale is to be removed the lever 26 isreleased, and thereupon the expansive force of the bale will act on thehinged doors in such manner as to effecta disengagement of the eyerodsand rockshaft, so that the doors will be free to lower into a horizontalposition, turning on their lower hinge-joints.

In order to assist the raising and lowering of the heavy press-doors 20,it is preferable to provide weights 28, running in a guideframe29 on theupper press-head 9 and provided with cords or ropes 30, passing overpulleys 31 at suitable points and provided with hooks 32 for engagingany suitable projection on an upper part of the press-door. Aided bythese weights the press-doors can move grad uallyto and from an open orclosed position without shock or jar, and obviously when the press-boxesare to be shifted the hooks 32 will be disengaged.

Each press-door 20 is formed with a series of vertical slots 33 forpassage of retainers 34, that are provided for the purpose of holdingthe cotton down in the press-box during the charging or packingoperation'and while the packed press-box is being swung or shifted overto the bale-pressing mechanism. These retainers 34 are in the form ofbell.

cranks that are loosely pivoted or mounted on the crank portion of acrank-shaft 35, which is mounted to rock in bearings 36, Figs. 1 and 3,on an outer and upper portion of the press by the packer or tramper.

downward with the cotton as it isforced in On one end of the into thebox, but leaving them free' to swing crank-shaft 35 there is a dependinglever 38, I

that is adapted to be engaged with a fastening 39 on the press-box door,as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The crank-shaft bearings 36 are offset fromthe press-box door a sufficient distance, so that when the lever 38 isreleased from its fastening 39 andswung outward the crank-shaft 35 willbe oscillated in such manner as to withdraw the cotton-retainers 34 fromwithin the press-box and into the slots 33 of the press-box door. Inthis manner the retainers 34 in the sides of a press-box will bewithdrawn after the press-box has been shifted from the chargingposition to the point where the pressing of the bale is to beaccomplished, and when thus withdrawn they cannot in any way obstructthe-balepressing operation.

Adjoining the stationary framework of the press there is a stationary ornon-rotary charg ing-chamber 40, Figs. 1 and 4, that is preferablysuspended from a frame composed of uprights 41 and cross-beams 42,arranged in any convenient manner. non-rotary charging-chamber issecurely braced by frames 43, with which the tie-rods or suspensiondevices 44 are connected. On the cross-beams 42 there is supported avertical steam-cylinder 45, Figs. 1, 4, and 5, hav ing steam-passages inits opposite ends. In this cylinder 45 there is a piston 46, whichcarries at the lower end of the piston-rod 47 a tram per or packer-head48 for forcing cotton through the charging-chamber 40 and packing it inthe press-box 1 that is for the time in position below the chargingdevices. The piston 46 is preferably operated by steam in bothdirections. In Figs. 1, 4, and 5 the main steam-supply pipe 49 is shownas having a branch pipe 50, connecting with the upper end of thecylinder 45, and a branch pipe 51, connecting with the lower end of saidcylinder. Each of these branch pipes 50 and 51 may have therein athree-way valve 52, with which an exhaust-pipe 53 is connected. Thesethree-way valves 52 are connected by lever mechanism 54 in such mannerthat when by means of an operating-rod 55, one valve is turned inposition to admit steam to one end of the cylinder the other valve willbe simultaneously turned in the proper direction to permit the escape ofexhaust-steam from the other end of the cylinder. Instead of providingthree-way valves 52 and valve-operating mechanism, such as abovedescribed, the communication between the pipes 49, 50, and 5land exhaust53 may be preferably controlled by means of a slide-valve 56, as shownin Fig. 6, or any other suitable valve mechanism may be provided. Asshown in Fig. 1, the steam-cylinder 45 may be braced by any suitableframing 57, erected on the crossbeams 42 of the packer-frame.

The cotton to be baled may be taken con- This stationary or sebumtinuously from a gin or condenser and is fed over a chute 58, Figs. 1and 4-, into the charging-chamber 40, through which it is graduallyforced by the steam-operated tramper or packer 48 into the press-boxbeneath the charging chamber. The provision of this charging-chamber 40intermediate the pressbox and the tramper or packer enables thetramper-head 48 to be operated at its full stroke while the cotton isbeing packed into the press-box and permits such an accumulation ofcotton under pressure in the charging-chamber that the tramper does nothave to be run up and down so often. this necessitates anincreasedvertical lengthening of the charging or packing mechanism, it obviouslyfacilitates a compact tramping of the cotton into the press-box, andthereby conduces to an economy of power, time, and

cost inthe operation of'the hydraulio'ram.

for pressing the cotton from below and this, too, without diminishingthe density of the bale, but rather adding thereto. The charging-chamber 40 is open at its upper and'lower ends, and the cylinder 45is placed at such.

elevation that the tramper-head 48 can move clear throughthe'charging-chamber and out of the upper open end thereof. This enablesme to use the chute, as at 58, to feed the cotton direct from thecondenser into the upper open end of the charging-chamber when thetramper-headi's raised out of the same, as will be understood byreference to Fig. 4. While the cotton is being packed into a pressbox,the crank-shafts 35 are locked'by engagement of their levers 38 with thefastenings 39, thereby holding the retainers 34 within the press-box.Under pressure of the entering cotton the retainers 34 are free tooscillate on' the crank-shaft in a downward direction within the box;but by the influence of their weighted outer ends 37 and any elasticreturn pressure of the cotton these retainers will immediately resumetheir normal horizontal position, and thus hold the cotton down whilethe press-box' is being packed and until it is ready for the action ofthe baling-press. After one of the press-boxes is charged the twoconnected boxes are swung around so as to bring the other box beneaththe charging-chamber 40, while the charged press-box takes its placebetween the lower head 8 and upper head '9 of the baling-press. When thepress-box is brought into this position, the crank-shafts 35 will bereleased and oscillated into position to withdraw the retainers 34, sothat they may not obstruct the compressing of the bale. It is preferableto operate the movable lower press-head 8 by means of hydraulic powerthat maybe applied through 'a steam-actuated duplex hydraulic pump 59 ofany suitable construction or pattern. This pump 59 takes water or otherliquid through a pipe 60 from an elevated tank 61, Figs. 1 and 2, andforces it past a check-valve 62 and through pipe 63, T- coupling 64, andpipe 65 into the lower part of the Althoughhydraulic cylinder 7 belowthe ram to which the lower press-head 8 is attached. The press-head 8and lower platen 11 are thus forced upward in the press-box, and thebale is compressed between the upper and lower press-platens 10 11 andis thereby shaped or formed in the upper section the press-box. Steamshould now be shut off from the hydraulic pump. As shown in Fig. 2, theT- coupling 64 connects with the upper part of V the tank 61 through apipe 66, Figs. 1 and 2, in which a globe-valve 67 is located. A rod orlever 68 is provided for operating this globe-valve. When the pump 59 isin operation for forcing liquid into the hydraulic cylinder 7, thisvalve 67 isclosed. When the bale is fully compressed, the hooks 32 ofthe door-weight mechanism, Fig. 1, are connected with the press-boxdoors 20, and the rockshaft lever 26 is disengaged from its lockingdevice 27, so that by expansive force of the bale and oscillation of therock-shaft 22the shaft lugs or pins 23 will disengage from the hydrauliccylinder 7 will be forced out through the pipe 65, T-coupling 64, pipe66, and open valve 67 and is thus returned to thetank 61, from which thehydraulic pump 59 is supplied. The valve 67 may then be closed.Thepress-doors 20 are easily lifted to a closed position, assisted bythe weights 28. The doors will be locked by means of the eyerods 25,rock-shaft 22, and its lever-locking devices 26 27, and the hooks 32will then be disengaged from the doors. In the meantime the otherpress-box is being charged, and when all is ready the position ofthe'two press-boxes will be reversed, and the several operations alreadydescribed will be repeated first in one press-box and then in the other.

While it is preferable to operate the tramper or packer 48 both upwardand downward by steam-power, it will be obvious that it may be actuatedby steam in a downward direction only, and any suitable arrangement ofweights, cords, and pulleys may be provided for lifting the packer whensteam is exhausted from the upper end of the cylinder. In Fig. 7 I haveshown an arrangement of single rotary valve 69 for controlling the steamsupply and exhaust at both ends of the cylinder 45 when steam-power isto be-employed for actuating the tramper or packer in both directions ofits movement.

The provision of a charging-chamber 40 intermediate thetramper-operating mechanism and press-box with simple means forcontrolling the operation of the tramper, as deof causing the cotton tobe caught between the tramper-head and the inner walls of said chamberupon the upstroke of the tramperhead and the rolling of the cotton intowads is effectually prevented. This is an important feature of theinvention.

It will usually be preferable to provide the tra'mper or packer 48 witha shield 70, that is arranged on the side next to the condenser, so asto hold back the lint and prevent it from falling onto the packer whenthe latter is below the chute.

The door=lift weights 28, that balance the swinging press-doors, couldbe arranged to drop below the press-floor, if desired, by simplyextending the cords and pulley-supports beyond the sides of thepress-frame.

The working of this baling apparatus is rapid, economical, andthoroughly effective and requires very little labor and attendance.

' What I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination with a movableboxpress, of a stationary charging-chamber above said press, closed onall its sides, but open at its upper and lower ends, a tramper-headmovable in said charging-chamber and out of the upper open end thereofto a position above said chamber to permit the feeding of the materialinto the open end of the latter, and means for reciprocating saidtramper-head, substantially as described. v

2. The combination with a rotatable double box-press, of a stationarycharging-chamber above said press having its sides closed and its upperand lower ends open, a feed-chute arranged to deliver the material intothe upper open end of the charging-chamber, a reciprocating tramper-headmovable in said charging-chamber and out of the upper open end thereofto a position above said chamber, a piston connected with thetramper-head, a cylinder containing the piston, and means for supplyinga working fluid to the cylinder to operate the piston and tramper-head,substantially as described.

3. The combination with a rotatable double box-press, of a stationarycharging-chamber above said press having its sides closed and its upperand lower ends open, means for feeding material into the upper open endof the chamber, a reciprocating tramper-head movable in saidcharging-chamber and out of the upper open end thereof to a positionabove said chamber, a cylinder arranged above and in alinement with saidcharging-chamber, a

piston in said cylinder connected with said tramper-head,-and means forsupplying a working fluid to either end of the cylinder forreciprocating said piston and tramperhead, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a movable box press, of a stationarycharging-chamber above said press open at its upper and lower ends andhaving its sides closed, a reciprocating tramper-head movable in saidchamber and out of the upper open end thereof to a position above saidchamber, means for delivering material into the upper open end of saidchamber, and means for preventing the material from entering saidchamber above said tramper-head, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a movable boxpress,of a stationarychargingchamber above said press open at its upper and lower ends andhaving its sides closed, a reciprocating tramper=head movable in saidchamber and out of the upper open end thereof to a position above saidchamber, means for delivering material into the upper open end of saidchamber,and means actuated by said tramper head for cutting oi thesupply of material to said chamber when said tramper-head enters theupper end thereof, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a movable boxpress, of a stationarycharging-chamber above said press open at its upper and lower ends andhaving its sides closed, a reciprocating tramper-head movable in saidchamber and out of the upper open end thereof to a position above saidchamber, means for delivering material into the upper open end of saidchamber, and a movable shield or guard for cutting ofi the supply ofmaterial to said charging-chamber when said tramper-head enters theupper end thereof, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a movable boxpress, of a stationarycharging-chamber above said press open at its upper and lower ends andhaving its sides closed, a reciprocating tramper-head movable in saidchamber and out of the upper open end thereof to a position above saidchamber, means for deliver 'ing material into the upper open end of saidchamber, and a shield or guard carried by said tramper-head for cutting01f the supply of material to said charging-chamber when saidtramper-head enters the upper end thereof, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a press-box having vertical slots in its sides,of crank-shafts journaled outside the press-box, retainers looselymounted on the crank portions of said shafts, projecting through thevertical slots of the press-box and capable of rocking on thecrank-shaftswhile they are stationary, and devices for turning thecrank-shafts to bodily swing the retainers inward and outward,substantially as described.

9. The combination with a press-box having vertical slots in its sides,of crank-shafts IIO substantially as described.

10. The combination with a press-box having vertical slots in its sides,of crank-shafts journaled on the press-box, bell-crank retainers looselymounted at their angles on the crank portions of the shafts to rockindependent thereof, and each having one arm extending through a slotinthe press-box and the other arm weighted, and devices for rocking andlocking the crank-shafts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ROBERT S. MUNGER. Witnesses:

GEo. M. FLETCHER, GEO. T. HILL.

